Scoring breakdown

Compact 4WDs have been big news for years but you could be forgiven for thinking some brands hadn't registered their significance.

Take Volkswagen. A manufacturer with abundant smarts and resources, yet in the decade or so since compact 4WDs first made an impact, it has sat on the sidelines - until now.

Finally, VW is dipping its toe into the compact 4WD pool with the new Tiguan, rushing in the diesel versions while the petrol models follow. So, has it managed to use the time to build a better compact 4WD?